The All Whites' clash with South Africa next week has been further weakened with the withdrawal of attacking pair Shane Smeltz and Kosta Barbarouses.
New Zealand had already named a squad short of several first choice players for the match at Mt Smart Stadium, with the likes of Winston Reid, Tommy Smith and Chris Wood opting to rest following club commitments.
And South Africa, too, have been hampered by the withdrawal of 11 players from their original 18-man squad, leaving Bafana Bafana to field a virtual B team on their tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Now both Barbarouses and Smeltz have been forced to pull out due to injury concerns, with Wellington Phoenix midfielder Jason Hicks and South Melbourne defender James Musa being called into the squad by interim coach Neil Emblen.
Melbourne Victory attacker Barbarouses is still recovering from the effects of a lingering ankle problem after a long season with his club which included their seven-match Asian Champions League campaign.
Smeltz, meanwhile, has been withdrawn by new club Sydney FC following an A-League season with Perth which saw the striker constantly hindered by injury.
Emblen, while disappointed for both Barbarouses and Smeltz, said the door was now open for two young players looking to make an impression.
"Losing players from the squad at any time isn't ideal but that's the nature of football," the coach said. "With Kosta, we've been closely monitoring his situation over the last two weeks and he and I were hopeful he'd be able to play, but unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way this time around.
"Shane has had a stop-start season due to injury and with him securing a deal at a new club, while we lose access to a top quality striker, I can understand the position he and the club are in ahead of a new campaign with a new coach
"But what this situation does provide is an opportunity for Jason and James who are hungry young players excited by the chance to prove themselves in the All Whites environment."
The All Whites go into camp on Monday in Auckland ahead of Friday night's match.
